This post was written by travel blogger, Sarah-Jane Begonja of Chasing the Donkey who makes her home in Croatia.
Croatia has a beauty and charm that will make travelers want to come back time and time again. Think of visiting Croatia where there are plenty of things to do. Here are five not-to-be-missed things to do in Croatia.
Enjoy the blue waters of the Adriatic sea, photo/Chasing the Donkey
Sail along the Dalmatian Coast
Locals know that the must-see places are best accessed by boat, sailing from port to port. No trip to Croatia would be complete without sailing along the Dalmatian Coast. You can choose to take a charter with a local boatman or rent your own boat and explore the deep blue sea. Allow at least a week to enjoy a variety of places. Travelers who are short on time will find that there are many ferries running during summer months that will take you to the islands and back for the day a longer stay.
Most tourists flock to places like Dubrovnik, (“Pearl of the Adriatic”), or Spilt. Be warned: summer means that both tourists and locals will be shoulder to shoulder in these popular historic cities, with their cobbled streets. They offer much more if you visit in May or September, less busy times. The crowds have not yet arrived or have already dissipated, yet the weather is still warm and the sea inviting.
If vacationers must visit the seaside during the middle of summer, it would be ideal to venture to lesser-known places. Zadar is a good choice. It was ruled by the Italians for many years and is home to the Sea Organ, a musical instrument that plays organ-like music as each wave of the sea crashes against the large marble steps.
In Zadar, you can drink coffee in the 2,000 year old Roman forum in the morning, swim all day, and watch the most wonderful sunsets in the evening. Alfred Hitchcock once wrote “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, Florida, applauded at every evening.”
Sailing on the Adriatic sea, photo/Chasing the Donkey
Hop between some of the 1,000 islands
Whether venturing by sailboat or from the mainland, island hopping to several of the 1,000 islands off the coast is easy. Ferries shuttle day trippers from island to island with ease.
The Adriatic coastline has many fortified harbours, but one of the most famous and breathtaking has to be Hvar. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century, Hvar has a fortress, towers, and a palace. It is the perfect island to explore. Other places to consider are Korcula, Omis, Vis or the set of Kornati Islands.
Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO site, photo/Chasing the Donkey
Explore the natural beauty
After enjoying time on the beaches, it’s time to take a day trip. Croatia has seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and a number of national parks. A real jewel, and one that is open to visitors year round, is Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is made up of stunning waterfalls over 16 connecting lakes. All of these can be enjoyed by walking long wooden plank trails. Plitvice, as it’s known locally, is a few hours drive from Zagreb or Zadar. For those wanting to spend more than a day at the national park, arranging accommodations onsite and taking advantage of the two day park pass is ideal.
Our vineyard, photoChasing the Donkey
Discover the mountains and festivals
Croatia is more than summer heat and deep blue seas. It offers hilltop towns overlooking vineyards, olive groves, and the mountains.
Northern Croatia, known as Istria, is a good place to visit in November and December. Particularly great for those who love wine and food. Istria has dozens of small towns, like Buzet, who host weekend festivals dedicated to the white truffle. At the festival, each booth will tempt you with samples of local truffle products, wine, olive oils, and the famous Istrian pasta known as Fuzi.
Hilltop towns with views of vineyards & olive groves, photo/Chasing the Donkey
Eat regional cuisine
No matter where people visit in Croatia, the best advice is to eat local. Every region has its own local specialties. While on the coast of Dalmatia, no one can pass up freshly grilled seafood, or a black cuttlefish risotto, paired with a local Malvazia white wine. In Zagreb, travelers can enjoy the country’s best Kremsnite (custard slice), with a cup of coffee after visiting the galleries and museums.
Sunset in Croatia, photo/ Chasing the Donkey
No matter what one sees or does in Croatia, do not forget to take home a souvenir, such as the unique heart lictar. Made of a type of gingerbread and coated in sugar, you can either eat it or hang it on your Christmas tree as a decorative reminder of your love affair with Croatia.
Sretan put! (that’s “Bon voyage” in Croatian)
Sarah-Jane Begonja is an Australian expatriate who packed up her worldly possessions (and there were loads of them), together with her Croatian husband and 9-month-old son, and escaped the hustle and bustle of life in Sydney to build their dream house by the sea in Croatia. You can follow her adventures on her blog Chasing the Donkey.
Five not-to-be-missed things to do in Croatia is a post from: Santa Fe Travelers
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